Egypt vs Angola just has such a charming nature about it. African football’s superpower versus the new kid on the block. The most successful team in Cup of Nations history against a nation making only their fourth ever appearance. The current champions taking on a side that has never before made the knockout phase. One of Africa’s most prosperous nations against a country still healing from the scars of a long and bitter civil war. From whatever angle you choose to approach it this is an enthralling encounter in prospect. Even ignoring history the game has the potential to be a great one on the pitch involving two sides that set their stall out to produce offensive football, and both contain genuine attacking threats.
Their styles have a certain similarity in that they both place a great deal of emphasis on penetration down the flanks. In full back Sayed Moawad, Egypt have a player that likes to roam forward and he has been very effective in the competition so far. Hosni Abd Rabou has been equally dangerous, with three goals to his name. Angola like to press the opposition and use their tricky wing play to provide the ammunition for target man Manucho Goncalves, who has been one of the tournament’s stand out players. Ze Kalanga is a particularly impressive winger with a good cross, so too Maurito and Gilberto, and both sides will look to stretch the play in Kumasi to supply the frontmen. I have been very impressed by Angola up to now and one thing is clear – they will go into the game full of self-belief, unafraid to display their own talents no matter the opposition's prestige as champions. The two sides drew 3-3 in a pre-tournament friendly, and will renew acquaintances in what should prove a gripping match.
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The fourth quarter final, to be played in Tamale, sees Tunisia take on Cameroon. The Tunisians won the Cup of Nations on home soil in 2004 and have been functional without setting the world alight in Ghana so far. They qualified as Group D winners courtesy of two draws, a win and a marginally better scoring record than Angola but with a rather unremarkable showing to this point their credentials will truly be put to the test against Cameroon, one of the pre-tournament favourites. The Indomitable Lions now boast the most prolific goalscorer in African Cup of Nations history after the masterful Samuel Eto’o fired in five Group C goals, breaking Laurent Pokou’s previous best of 14. Granted, three of Eto’s goals so far have been penalties but the Barcelona marksman has predictably been one of the competition’s shining stars and will take some stopping. Rahdi Jaidi and co face a tough job in keeping him quiet.
Cameroon are currently the tournament’s top scorers with ten goals but are far from invincible and have displayed a hint of vulnerability as demonstrated in their 4-2 defeat by Egypt. Tunisia will look to find their weaknesses and take full advantage. Alexander Song has proved an emerging talent in midfield consigning the thus far disappointing Jean Makoun to the bench, and set piece specialist Geremi has already fired in one delightful free kick against Zambia. Cameroon hold the advantage in head-to-head encounters between the two sides with six wins from twelve games, and in a game between two well organised outfits progress to the semi finals could boil down to which side’s individual talents shine the most.
1 comments:
Angola vs Egypt also features the last two remaining African coaches. So at least we'll definitely see an African coach in the semi-finals.
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